Metal fabric making machine



April 13, 1937. H. E. WHITE METAL FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wm n E H April 13, 1937.

H. E. WHITE METAL FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwumvto n H. E.WHITE A ril 13, 1937.

H. E. WHITE METAL FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1955' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 13, 1937. wHlTE 2,077,061

P METAL FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gra s-4',

INVE/VIDfi H. E.WHITE wm W April 13, 1937. H. E. WHITE 2,077,061 METAL FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m. M Q\\ wh w i INA:

Patented Apr. 13, 1937 PATENT OFFICE 2,077,061 Mara]. FABRIC man o moms Herbert E. White, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to Wire Fabric Corporation, a corporation of California Application September zs, 1935. Serial he. 4am

' 28 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for manufacturing open mesh wire fabric and is particularly devised for producing that type in which continuous strands are used that are laid in crossed relation and united at their points of crossing, preferably by welding.

The object is to provide a simple and effective machine of a novel character that will accurately function and produce a fabric in which the strands are evenly spaced and are effectively secured together.

In this latter connection, the mechanism is preferably so constructed that the uniting means, as electric welding devices operate while the fabric Isis at a standstill, and a better welding action is thereby obtainable.

In the accompanying drawings:

1 Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention which is at present considered the preferable one.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the strand laying mechanism at the completion of its movement in one direction.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the machine at the fabric forming end.

Figure 4 is a detail vertical sectional view of the line 4-4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the carriage supporting means looking in the direction of the ar- 30 row A of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on .an enlarged scale of the transferring pin hook shownin Figure 6 and illustrating its actionon the ad- Jacent strand.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the welding mechanism.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line lO-l l of Figure 9.

view on the line Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line "-4 l.

. have inner stretches l1 and outer stretches l8. These chains operate on horizontally disposed sprocket wheels I! and 20. The sprocket wheels 20 are carried on the upper portions of vertical shafts 21 whose lower ends are provided with worm gears 22. These worm gears are engaged by driving worms 23 carried by a horizontal shaft 24 that is an extension of the rotary pistonshaft of a fluid operated rotary motor 25. The operation of the motor 25, therefore, will cause the movement of the two conveyor chains i 6, and this is effected so that thednner or adjacent stretches i1 thereof move in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 1. It will be noted that one of the conveyors i5 is shorter than the other, and consequently the. drive shaft 24 is located diagonally to the said conveyors.

Arranged alongside the driving mechanism 24-25 and diagonally disposed with respect to the conveyors i6 and located above the same is a pair of spaced trackways 26 having secured to their inner sides racks 21. On the trackways reciprocates'a strand laying carriage 28 which includes a main frame piece 29 that extends parallel to the conveyors. A rotary shaft 30 joumaled on the frame has gears 3| which mesh with the racks 2|. By rotating the shaft 30 in opposite directions the carriage will be reciprocated diagonally across the space between the inner stretches I! of the conveyors chains I 6. To accomplish this the shaft 30 has at one .end a. beveled gear 32 in mesh with a beveled gear 33 splined to a diagonal drive shaft 34 that extends along one of thesgu ide tracks 28. The gear wheel 33, it will be understood, moves with the carriage 28 by being iournaled in a bracket 35 nxed to the carriage and have a key engaged in a longitudinal key-way 24 formed in the shaft 34. This shaft 24 is adapted to be rotated in opposite directions by a reversible rotary fluid operated motor 21. If then the motor 31 is rotated alternately in opposite directions. the carriage 28 will obviously be reciprocated diagonally back and forth across the chain links (see Figures'13 and 14). Their lower ends are provided with heads 39 having annular grooves 4| in which areengaged fixed cam tracks 4| located beneath the inner stretches ii of the conveyors and thus governing the positions and vertical movements of the pins as they travel with the conveyor chains. The fabric is formed by the location of the continuous strands in crossed relation and engaged around said pins as shown at the left in Fig. 1. These strands, where they are delivered to the machine and designated 42,'are supplied from any suitable sources and preferably enter the machine diagonally at the end of the carriage way parallel to the path of travel of said carriage and operate over suitable idler rollers 43. Thence they pass about or alongside (depending on the position of the carriage) pins 44 on a fixed portion of the frame and lo- .cated outside the adjacent inner stretch l1 of the conveyor belt (see Figure 2). By referring to Figure 1, it ,will be noted that when the carriage is at the further end of its path, the strands 42 bend about the pins 44 and extend to a successive series of the up-standing pins 38 of the conveyor, thence as shown at 42a they extend diagonally across the space between the conveyor chains and then back again so that they are crossed into a diagonal mesh formation.

In order to get these strands across the said space and to the pins of the opposite conveyor belt the part 29 of the carriage, as shown in de "tail in Figures 6 and 7, has a series of vertically disposed depending transfer pins 45. The pins are vertically movable in the part 29 and are also rotatable therein. They are provided at their lower ends with hook extensions 46 that are adapted to lie alongside the pins 44 and rotate about the same. These pins 45 are provided with circular rack teeth 41 engaged by segment gears 48 that are fixed to a horizontal shaft 49 journaled on the carriage part 29. The upper ends of the pins 45 slidably pass through worm gears 59 to which they are splined as shown at 5|. The worm gears are in mesh with worms 52 on a horizontal shaft 53 carried by the carriage part 29. The shaft 49 has a beveled gear 54 in mesh with another beveled gear 55 that is slidably splined on a rock shaft 56 journaledalong' the outer trackway 26. This rock shaft has a crank arm 51 connected by a link 58 to the piston rod 59 of a reciprocatory motor 68 (see Figure 5). The other shaft 53 of the carriage has a beveled gear 8| meshed with another beveled gear 82 slidably splined to a drive shaft 63 that extends longi-' tudinally alongside the shaft 56. Theshaft 63 also has a crank arm 64 linked as shown at 65 to the piston rod 66 of a reciprocatory motor 61 located beside the motor 69. By reciprocating the motors 68 the segment gears 48 will be turned in opposite directions thus raising and lowering the pins 45 and by operating the motor 61 the worms 52 will be turned in opposite directions thereby correspondingly rotating the pins 45 and the hooks 46.

The operation of this part of the mechanism, it is believed, can now be explained. Assuming the parts as shown in Figure 1 with the strands 42 bent aroundthe pins 44, it will be evident that if segment gears 48 turn downwardly, the pins 45 will be lowered and the hooks 46 will lie alongside the strands 42 as shown in Figure 7. If now the pins 45 are partially rotated by operating the shaft 53, these hooks will pass around the pins, as shown in. Figure 8. The fingers 45 are now again raised carrying the strands above the'tops of the pins 44. When so arranged, the motor 81 is operated thereby turning the shaft 88 and causing its gears 3| to ride along the racks 21 in a direction to carry the carriage to the left hand side of the machine Orto the posianism is employed which is shown tion shown in'Figure 2. This, it will be noted,

causes the portions of the strands that lie longitudinallyalong the outer of the two stretches II to swing across the space between the two stretches. The pins 45 now come over the pins It is to be noted that in this operation the strands are carried across in one direction only and that the said strands which extend from the nearer up-standing pins toward the feed lie in their proper parallel angular relation. The return movement of the carriage, therefore, is an idle one.

Referring now to the strand uniting mechanism which is designated generally by the reference numeral 68, this is a welding apparatus and is stationarily mounted at one side of the strand laying mechanism above described. It preferably consists of an upper set of depending electrodes 69 and a lower up-standing coaeting set 10 arranged, of course, to engage the opposite sides of the fabric at the crossing points of the strands. The upper electrodes 69 are preferably fixed in a suitable top plate 11 carried on standards 12 and located above the inner stretches 11 of the conveyor chains (see Figure 10). The lower electrodes 10 are preferably yieldingly mounted as shown at 19 and are carried by a vertically movable support 14 having collars 15 that are slidably mounted on said standards 12. The support and therefore the lower electrodes 18 are moved upwardly by vertically moving pistons forming parts of motor 16. It will be understood that these sets of electrodes are suitably connected as by bars 11 with a secondary circuit 18 of a transformer 19 and this transformer is in an electric circuit 88 which includes a controlling switch 8| that is geared as shown at 82 in Figure l with the carriage drive shaft 36.

The arrangement is such that the conveyor chains 16 are intermittently operated and when they are at rest the carriage 28 is operated, the lower electrodes are elevated and current is sum 'plied to the transformer and consequently to the electrodes.

In order to accomplish this, controlling mechsomewhatdiagrammatically in Figure 15. A main supply line of fluid under pressure is shown at 83 and has connections with the various motors above described. An exhaust pipe 84 correspondingly leads from. these motors. g

Considering the control means foreach motor individually, and referring first to the motor 25 which effects the intermittent operation of the conveyor l6l6, a valve 85 is provided that is of the ordinary spool type and reciprocates in a valve casing 86. The supply conduit 83 is connected to this valve casing as shown at 81 and from the valve casing a delivery pipe 88 leads to the motor 25. Obviously, when the valve is moved to one end of the casing, the delivery pipe 88 will be in communication with the supply pipe 83 through 81 and the motor 25 will be operated. The valve is operated in one direction by a cam 89, fixed to a shaft 98 and driven by a variable speed motor 9|. As it is essential that the amount of movement of the conveyor be accu- 75 ated in one direction by a cam I on the shaft N ao'moei rately determined, the movement of the valve 88 in an opposite direction to cut off the supply of motive fluid and thus stopthemotor is govemedby a timing-valve 82 operated by a cam 88 on the shaft 28. A branch line 0| leads from' the supply pipe '88 to this valve-and a delivery pipe 88 leads from the valve to the end of the valve chamber 88. Thus the valve 82 at theproper time will admit fluid to thecasing 88 and move the valve in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the cam 88, thereby cutting off the supply of fluid to the motor 28 as will be clear by the position of the valve in Figure 15.

The motor 01 is controlled by a valve 81 that is operated by a cam 88 onthe shaft 00. This valve is located in a casing 88 which is supplied with fluid under pressure from the line 88 by the branch I00. A supply pipe IOI leads from the valve casing to the motor and an exhaust pipe I02 leads from the motor to the main exhaust line 84. In this case the valve 91 is returned after its movementby the cam 88 by a spring I08 placed behind it. I

The motor 80 is controlled by a valve I08 oper- 00 and operated in the opposite direction by a spring I06. This valve controls the supply pipe I0'I--IOIa leading to the motor 60.

The motor which causes the reciprocatory traverse of the carriage 28'28 is reversible and in the structure shown itsoperation in opposite directions is controlled by two valves designated respectively I08 and I08. These are actuated by the cams H0 and III on the shaft 90. As illustrated the supply line 83 is connected to a branched pipe II2 that supplies a motive hold to the valve casing of said valves I08 and I09. Leading from the two valvecasings are pipes I I8 and II that connect to a common pipe IIB entering one side of the motor 81, this system II3--I I4-I l5 acting either for supplying motive fluid to the motor 81 or exhausting the motor fluid therefrom, depending in which direction the motor is operated. Another'set of pipes IIG and III also lead from the valve casings I08 and I09 to a common pipe III that is connected to the opposite side of the motor from the pipe I I B. This system Iii-I II-II8 also alternately acts as motor fluid supply and exhaust means. The

casings of the valves I08 and I00 are also in com- I munication with an exhaust pipe II! that leads to the exhaust main 84.

It will be clear that if the valve I08 is moved from the position shown in Figure by the cam III, it will afford communication between the supply pipe H2 and the deliverypipeilf and thus motive fluid will be directed into one side of the motor 31. Theexhaust from the motor 81 will take place through the pipes II8, III, II!

and 88 because the pipes III and II 0 are not in communication. When the valve I88 returns to the position shown and the other valve I00 is moved by its cam I I0, then a reverse action will take place. That is to say, motive'flu'id supplied through the pipe II2 will pass through pipes H4 and II! to the opposite side of the motor 81 while through the pip motors I8 is connected to a pipe I that is also connected to, the valve casing I22. A branch supply pipe I21 leads from the main 88 and a return exhaust pipel28 leads from the casing I22 to the exhaust main II. The' arrangement of this valve is such that when actuated by the cam I motive -;i'luid passes from the branch I21 into the pipe I20 and manifold I2I thus delivering motive fluid below the pistons of the motors l8 and elevating the lower electrodes. ,The fluid above the pistons of said motors exhausts through the pipe I28 and pipe I20 into the main When the valve I28 moves in the opposite direction then the pipe I28 is brought into communication with the supply branch I21 delivering'the motive fluid above the pistons of the motors I8 and again depressing the electrodes. The space below the pistons of the motors I8 is now open to exhaust through the pipe I20, pipe I28 and exhaustmain 8i.

It will be understood that the various cams on the shaft 00 are so formed and related that'they will effect the carrying out of the movements of the different parts in definite pre-determined relation so that the mechanisms will operate accurately. Thus when the conveyor is at a standstill there will be a complete assembly of the crossed strands between the upper and lower sets of electrodes. These electrodes at this time will be brought into contacting relation with the strands at their crossing points. The timer 8i will now operate to energize all electrodes and secure the electric welding together of the strands. Thispitwill be noted, is accomplished while the fabric is at rest so that an effective weld is obtained. At this time also the carriage reciprocates, carrying another set of strands across the space between the conveyors, engages them with the up-standing pins and then said carriage returns to its initial position shown in' Figure I. The welding and strandlaying operations being now complete, the conveyor is thrown into operation thus moving another section of crossed strands into position to be'welded, carrying the last set of diagonal strands onward out of the way of the carriage and leaving the entering strands in position to be again brought across by the carriage on the next operation.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the con- ,the said strands diagonally across said path,

while the fabric strand moving means is at rest.

2. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with means for intermittently moving the formed fabric in a predetermined direction, of means for carrying a bight of each fabric forming strand diagonally of the said line of direction, while the fabric strand moving means is at rest.

3. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with fabric forming means, of means for periodically moving the same,

and means for supplying bights of the fabric forming strands to the forming means, during its periods of rest.

4.. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a fabric carrier having a periodic movement and being substantially at rest between. its periods of movement, of a mechanism for supplying and forming continuous strands, and means for moving the strand supplying mechanism and the carrying means alternately. Y

5. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with; a fabric conveyor diagonally across the conveyor and delivering the strands thereto in continuous lengths.

7. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor having spaced means for holding strands in crossed relation, of mechanism movableacross the conveyor forswinging strands that are engaged with one means across the conveyor to the other means.

8. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a. conveyor having spaced means for holding strands in crossed relation, of mechanism movable diagonally across the conveyor for swinging strands that are engaged with one means across the conveyor to the other means.

9. In apparatus forthe manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor having I spaced means for holding strands in crossed relation, of mechanism movable across the conveyor for swinging the strands that are engaged with one means, and using said means as pivot axes,

across the conveyor and in the direction of m vement of the iconveyor.

10. In apparatusfor the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a'conveyor comprising endless belts having spaced correspondingly travelling stretches and devices on said,

stretches for holding the selvage bights .of the fabric strands, of means for delivering strands across the space between the belts, and to positions to be engaged by said holding devices.

11. In apparatus'for themanufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor comprising endless belts having respectively inner and outer stretches, the inner stretches of the belts being spaced apart and travelling in the same direction, and devices on said belts for holding the selvage bights of the fabric strands, of means for delivering strands across the space between the belts and to positions to be engaged by said holding devices.

12. In apparatus for the manufacture 'of wire fabric, the combination with a fabric forming conveyor, of a carriage movable across the same to lay bights of the strands thereon, the said carriage laying the strands during its travel in one direction only.

13. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a fabric forming a'ovaooi.

for repeatedly forming "and carrying bights of the strands in one direction only across the conveyor.

14.,In apparatus for the manufacture of wire Q fabric, the combination with a fabric forming .conveyorhaving spaced sets of holding devices for engagement with the bights of crossed continuous strands, of means for delivering strandsto positions to engage one set of holding devices,

a carriage movable across i the conveyor, and means on the carriage for engaging the strands engaged with, said set and carrying them across the conveyor to engage the holding devices of the other set. I i

15. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire 15. fabric, the combination with a fabric forming conveyor having spaced sets of holding devices fingers and holding devices to transfer the strands from the fingers to the devices.

16. In apparatus, for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a fabric forming conveyor having spacedsets of holding devices for engagement with the bights of crossed continuous strands, of means for holding strands to positions to engage one set of holdingdevices,

a carriage movable across the conveyor, reciprocatory fingers on the carriage for, engaging the strands to carry them across the conveyor to engage the holdingdevices of the other set, and. means for reciprocating the fingers to cause them to engage thestrands at one side of the conveyor and to release the same at the other side.

17. Inapparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric,.the combination with a fabric forming conveyor having spacedsets ofholding devices for engagement with the bights of crossed continuous strands,v of means for delivering strands to positions to engage'one set of holding devices,

a carriage movable across the conveyor, reciprocatory and rotary finger books on the carriage for engagingqthe strands to carry them across the conveyor to engage the holding devices of the other set, and means for reciprocating and rotating the fingers to cause ,them to engage the strands at one side of the conveyor and to re lease thesame at the other side.

18. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with; a fabric forming conveyor having spaced sets of upstanding pins for engagement withthe'opposite selvage bights of the fabric, of a .reciprocatorycarriage movable diagonally across. the conveyor, means for supplying continuous strands to one set of conveyor pins, leaving free portions extending generally longitudinally along the set, depending pins on the carriage that are reciprocably mounted thereon, means for'depressing the pins to engage the free portions of the strands, means for moving the carriage across the conveyorwhen the pins are depressed and causing said pins to attain a position t deliver the strands to the other set of conveyo pins, and means for withdrawing the carriage pins from the strands when so positioned.

19. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination'with a fabricv forming conveyor having spaced sets of upstanding pins for engagement with the opposite selvage bights of the fabric, of a reciprocatory carriage movable diagonally across the conveyor, means for supplying continuous strands to one set of conveyor '5 pins, leaving free portions extending generally longitudinally along the set, depending hooked pins on the carriage that are reciprocably and rotatably mounted thereon, means for depressing the pins and rotating them to engage the free portions of the strands, means for moving the carriage across the conveyor when the pins are depressed and causing said pins to attain a position to deliver the strands to the other set of conveyor pins, "and means for rotating and withdrawing the carriage pins from the strands when so positioned.

20. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor comprising spaced endless belts having upstanding pins for engaging the selvage bights of crossed continuous fabric strands, of means for raising and lowering said pins, means for supplying strands to one set of pins, a carriage movable diagonally across the conveyor from one belt to the other, means for moving and stopping the conveyor and carriage alternately, depending carrier hooks slidably and rotatably mounted on the carriage and moving from one set of upstanding conveyor pins to the other set, and

means for depressing the hooks and rotating them to engage the strands at one set of conveyor pins and while the carriage is at rest, and for rotating the hooks and rotating them when the same are at the other set of conveyor pins and while the'carriage is again at rest after a movement.

21: In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor comprising spaced endless belts having upstanding pins for engaging the selvage bi'ghts of crossed con- 40 tinuous fabric strands, of means forraising and lowering said pins, means for supplying strands to one set of pins, a carriage movable diagonally across the conveyor from one belt to the other, motors for respectively moving theconveyor and carriage, depending carrier hooks slidably and rotatably mounted on the carriage and moving from one set of upstanding conveyor pins to the other set, a motor means for depressing the hooks and rotating them to engage the strands at one set of conveyor pins and while the carriage is at rest, and for rotating the hooks and rotating them when the same are at the other set of conveyor pins and while the carriage is again at rest after a movement, and controlling means for operating the motors in predetermined timed relation.

22. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor comprising spaced endless belts having upstanding 60 pins for engaging the selvage bights of crossed continuous fabric strands, of means for raising and lowering said pins, means for supplying strands to one set of pins, a carriage movable diagonally across the conveyor from one belt to M the other, fluid actuated motors for respectively moving the conveyor and carriage, depending carrier hooks slidably and rotatably mounted on the carriage and moving from one set of upstanding conveyor pins to the other set, a motor means for depressing the hooks and rotating them to engage the strands at one set of conveyor pins and while the carriage is at rest and for rotating the hooks and rotating them when the same are at the other set of conveyor pins and while the carriage is again at rest after a movement, valves controlling the supply of motive fluid to the motors, and means for actuating the valves in predetermined timed relation.

23. In apparatus for manufacturing wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor, of means at one point for supplying strands to the conveyor to form the fabric, means at another point for welding the strands together, means for intermittently moving the conveyor to carry the assembled strands from the supplying means to the conveyor, and means operating during the intermission of movement of the conveyor to cause the welding means to act on the portion of assembled strands delivered thereto by a preceding movement of the conveyor.

24. In apparatus for manufacturing wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor, of means at one point for supplying strands to the conveyor to form the fabric, means at another point for welding the strands together, means for intermittently moving the conveyor to carryv the assembled strands from the supplying means to the conveyor, and means operating during the intermission of movement of the conveyor to cause the fabric supply means to deliver the strands to the conveyor and to cause the welding means to act on the portion of assembled strands delivered thereto by a preceding movement of the conveyor.

25. In apparatus for manufacturing wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor on which the fabric is laid out, of means at one point operating to supply the strands to and assemble them on the conveyor, means at another point,

for welding together the assembled strands, means for intermittently operating the conveyor to carry the assembled strands from the assembling means to the welding means, mechanism for operating the assembling means when the conveyor is at rest to form a section of the fabric, and mechanism for operating the welding means when the conveyor is at rest to weld a section of the, formed fabric delivered thereto by the conveyor.

26. In apparatus for manufacturing wire fabric, the combination with a conveyor for. carrying fabric formed thereon, of mechanism at one point of the conveyor for supplying continuous strands and for assembling the same into fabric form on the conveyor, a welding apparatus at another point of the conveyor for welding together the strands of the fabric formed by said mechanism, a motor for moving the conveyor, 8. motor mechanism for operating the forming mechanism, a motor for actuating the welding apparatus, and means for controlling the operations of the various motors to cause the conveyor to operate intermittently and to cause the forming mechanism and welding apparatus to operate when the conveyor is idle.

HERBERT E. WHITE. 

